Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai
The anticipation for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash, seen as the pinnacle of cricket rivalry, carries a unique intensity. Set against the backdrop of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor – India’s response to it in April-May – this high-stakes match on September 14 is one that neither team would want to lose. Pakistan faced Oman in their Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while India held an intense training session at the nearby ICC Academy to gear up for the showdown. The entire Indian squad, led by T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav – in his first major tournament as skipper – fine-tuned their skills with focus.
As the Indian team wrapped up practice, a group of fans outside the ICC Academy cheered Surya Kumar, shouting things like “Win on 14th!”, “Need a dominating win on 14th” and “Don’t lose on the 14th!” With his trademark easy-going charm, Surya Kumar playfully asked, “What’s on 14th?”, while posing for photos before boarding the team bus.
Yet, he and the team are fully aware of the match’s weight. Social media is abuzz with calls to boycott the game, alongside harsh criticism of the players’ participation. The India-Pakistan clash always brings with it an unspoken rule: lose anything, but not this. This time, with social media amplifying scrutiny and critics ready to pounce, ignoring the outside noise will be a challenge.
During practice, Surya Kumar had a light session, batting for about 30 minutes with his signature flair. He unleashed Suplas – the flick-lofts over fine leg – slog sweeps, and inside-out shots against spinners and throwdown specialists. However, he’ll need to translate this form to the match against Pakistan, where he faces pressure to both lead India to victory and deliver with the bat.
His past T20I performances against Pakistan – scores of 11, 18, 13, 15, and 7 – have been underwhelming, and at odds with a career T20I strike-rate of 167 and an average of 38.30. On September 14, Suryakumar will aim to shine with the bat and lead India into the Asia Cup 2025 ‘Super 4’ with a statement win.
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